Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1887-02-24
AN not tell how I got through the pro-

ward that had behaved very bldly,
that had been as shy as rabbit and
cold as a raw potato. Ionly know that
the man of magnificent presence and
courtly manner who stood befor, me
exercised upon me so strange an nfu-
ence that my first impulse was 20 es-
cape from the room, my next to fail
upon my knees. All this sounds very
absurd, | am sure, but relate fat is.
After the opening of school we iound
ourselves liable to receive calls from
the principal at any moment during
the sessions. Miss Griller comp aimed
to me that he was sure to drop in when
she had bad recitation in pro gress,
and that he was meddlesomc iat, al
ways wanting to lend her his books,
and looking displeased if she failed to
read them and adopt their new-fi ngled
notions.
We held weekly 'teachcrs' NEE ,ings"
at which we were all expected to be
present, and at each of which one
model lesson was given. These were
not begun until the second week, and
as was the last called upon to give
one, my turn did not come until the
sixth week of school. | had prepared
myself thoroughly and drilled MY class
with great care, but, as my pupils
ranged before me, passing up the worn
stairs and through !. the long hull, my
heart almost failed. What could ac-
-, complish with his eye upon met Never
yet had he entered my room bit | had
grown confused and committed out
rageous blunders; would the jealous
eyes of the other teachers, who lid not
wish to be outdone, lessen my embar-
rassment or add to it?
Near the upper end Of the hal Matte
Merlin joined me, and, with nudge
and giggle, whispered:
won't you thank your STATS, Ray,
when it's over? o my! you'll make a
failure, I'm sure! We are all geese be-
fore his High Mightiness, Lord 5wazee,
and you are worse than any Of us. |
never saw you put out until lie came,
and now you are the sun-dia and he
is the sun. We can always tell when
the sun shines on the dial by he color
of its face"
Should make good her words and
thus put the keen sting of truth in her
coarse taunt? | asked myself No! |
would put myself down! would for
get Mr. Swazee and the other ,eachers.
| would remember my work one, and
enter upon it with my old-tima natural
enthusiasm. AS | walked INTO the
school-room and paced slow y up the
aisle toward its front, | was nerving
myself, summoning all the strength and
courage of my nature to my aid. And
did not fail. My success was SO
marked that it surprised me. If ever
| was brilliant in my life l wai brilliant
on that October afternoon. with its
waning sunlight slanting Though the
high windows 1t is mistake to think
the work of teacher is all dull routine,
leaving no margin for original genius
and personal power. Emily Knox told
me afterward that | had electrified
them all, but the others were stiffiy
silent.
Once during the passage Of the reel
tation l had caught peculiar look in
the eye of Mr.. Swazee. I had not
dared to lift my eyes to his face again
until its close, when | EXPECTED some
little word of commentaries, but ht
withheld my just praise from me and
was afterward, if possible, more cold
toward me than before. So far as was
able to judge from his actions he had
taken dislike to me at ON introduc.
tory meeting, and it had strengthened
as the long weeks passed. Coward the
other teachers his manner was kind
and friendly--to Nellie Melville some
thing more than friendly, J. thought
for me, alone, there was reserve ant
GOODNESS, almost iciness.
After that first model lesson given by
me Mr.. Swazee did not visit my de.
partment for months. Even the exam
nations conducted by him in all othel
grades We're left to me in mine. w,
met in the halls and bowed each Other
reserved good morning. We met al
teachers meetings and wasted n,
words upon each other. Ii changes il
school routines demanded communica
tons between us all was done by means
of curt notes saying the necessar,
words, no more. And yet loved Mr.
Swazee, and the love was growing
every day in spite of the lopelessnes
, of it. had not tried to crush it out
Why should IP The experience wa
an entirely new one. After twenty
four years of life without love / wa
glad to find myself in pos session of
capacity for loving.
, Quite aside from the question O
: whether or not was Lowell in return
there was exquisite pleasure for me il
my love. ] exulted in it; ny mind RAJ
, riot in this new delight. / listened TO
| the sound of his voice il the hall,
| thrilled at the touch of his formal notes
l watched covertly while he descende'
the stairs after the days work wa
ended though Nellie Melville, with he
airs and graces and her carefully di:
: played arm, was almosg certain I
, descend by his side, and Hattie Merli
, and Miss Griller, with the ir chatter an
their Cycling, usually followed closely
Nellie was the principals assistant
, Matte ana Miss Griller tiught on tn
I second floor, and Emily lknox and my
D self, primary teachers, occupied tn
r lower rooms How the children love
, Mr. Swazee. He was, in( eed, kind an
4 gracious and considerable with then
o with all save me.
One morning l was G, rly, reachin
o the school-house before time for oper